With the College Football Bowl Season underway, several Naperville area players are making their marks on the big stage after standout prep careers on the gridiron!
Naperville area talent on display
After winning the 2025 MAC Championship, Western Michigan dominated Kennesaw State 41-6 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on December 19th. Two former Neuqua Valley Wildcats are on the Broncos roster in kicker Palmer Domschke and defensive back Versie Walker Jr.
Former Naperville Central wide receiver Jadon Thompson wrapped up his collegiate career in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl with Memphis. The Tigers fell to NC State by a 31-7 score on December 19th.
Another recent Naperville Central receiver is heading to a bowl game with Toledo. Former Redhawk DeShaun Williams and the Rockets played in Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl on December 23rd. Toledo fell to Louisville 27-22.
The University of Minnesota has a pair of local athletes on the roster, both playing at the tight end position. Redshirt junior Pierce Walsh from Benet Academy and Waubonsie Valley graduate, redshirt sophomore Julian Johnson and the Golden Gophers defeated 20-17 New Mexico in overtime to win the Rate Bowl on Friday, December 26th.
Grant Ellinger, a former Naperville Central offensive lineman competed in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl with the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, December 27th against Missouri. Virginia won a tight game over the Tigers, 13-7.
Former Naperville North standout kicker David Olano and the University of Illinois will play in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee on Tuesday, December 30th. Olano earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors this season. Fighting Illini junior tight end Jordan Anderson grew up in Naperville, but attended Joliet Catholic. Junior offensive lineman TJ McMillen also grew up in Naperville, and attended St. Francis.
Olano played the hero for Illinois in the team’s thrilling 30-28 victory over the Volunteers, kicking three field goals, including the 29-yard game winner as time expired. The former Husky has since announced he will be transferring to Texas A&M for his senior season.
Jordan Anderson delivered the key play of the final drive, picking up 15 yards up the middle on fourth and one with just over two minutes remaining and the Illini trailing 28-27.
Another former Naperville Central Redhawk, defensive lineman Jake Stanish took part in one of the most successful seasons in Vanderbilt football history. The Commodores played against Iowa in the Reliaquest Bowl on December 31st.
Former Neuqua Valley quarterback Mark Gronowski, squared off against Stanish and the Commodores as the Iowa starting quarterback. The two-time FCS National Champion from South Dakota State did most of his damage with his legs, rushing for 15 touchdowns and passing for eight through the air during the regular season.
Gronowski was named the Reliaquest Bowl MVP, leading the Hawkeyes to victory with 212 yards passing and two touchdown passes. He added 54 yards and another touchdown on the ground as Iowa defeated Vanderbilt 34-27.
Benet Academy alum John Weidenbach, who won the 2024 National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines as a freshman, is in his junior season as a linebacker with the Wolverines. Michigan played Texas in the Cheez It Citrus Bowl. The Longhorns emerged victorious by the score of 41-27.
Jacob Bell becomes the latest National Champion from Naperville
There is one local player taking part in the College Football Playoff, former Naperville North quarterback Jacob Bell. The former Huskie is a freshman with the number one ranked Indiana Hoosiers. Bell spent the fall learning under 2025 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.
Indiana capped off a perfect 16-0 season with a thrilling 27-21 victory over Miami to win the first National Championship in program history. Jacob Bell becomes the first Naperville native to win an FBS championship since Danny Hughes and Weidenbach with Michigan in 2024.
Bell’s former Naperville North teammate, Gabe Hill, will join the Hoosier program as a defensive lineman this fall.